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In forty-one chapters covering topics such as hate crimes, sexual harassment seminars, confrontations between colleagues and political parties, probation, mental hospitals, elections, police, political turmoil, disabilities, race, caste, projection of fear, stigma, interactions between trade unions and management over petitions, and political leafletting, Reinach has creatively depicted vibrant characters occupying untenable situations to illustrate and comment upon timely political and social issues. This includes issues such as how being "too fat to work" can impact women and how employment offices handle such discrimination.
From the first chapter, the importance of sharing stories, pooling resources, and team building for solidarity shines through. Culprits are sought, offices are shuffled out of, and good-natured laughter ensues. The action unfolds enticingly in adventures through well-constructed dialogue. Merriment over slogans delightfully erupts, and the surprisingly believable likelihood that the personnel department would deploy staff to spy in weight support groups is pursued. Attempts are made to revise corporate plans after a robbery. The vulnerable are preyed upon. Credentialed talent is also overlooked: "We know you are clever and will go places, Dorina, but there is a policy in the Council to look for talent among the less well-qualified."
Touches of satire are rampant, adding up to a perfectly enjoyable book. Reinach deftly portrays young college graduates sharing a flat and a chief executive who likes that men were stood up for at a sexual harassment seminar (because he himself would never harass anyone). The author unfurls an excellent spoof, written with all the wit and wisdom typical of the best in British humor. Anyone who has ever entered the work force will likely read this book quickly and with great pleasure.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review